Label and indicia applying drum



Dec. 13, 1966 D, ORLQFF ET AL 3,291,575

LABEL AND INDICIA APPLYING DRUM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 24, 1963 INVENTORS DANIEL L. ORLOFF BYKENNETH D. POLEY D66. 13, 1966 L. QRLOFF ET AL 3,291,675

LABEL AND INDICIA APPLYING DRUM Filed June 24, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet L5 INVENTORS DANIEL 1.. ORLOFF KENNETH ID. POLEY K 14m, fickwwd; 90 49W; 09

Dec. 13, 1966 ORLOFF ETAL 3,291,675

LABEL AND INDICIA APPLYING DRUM INVENTORS DANIEL L. ORLOFF KENNETH D. POLEY United States Patent 3,21,675 V LABEL AND INDICTA APPLYING DRUM Daniel L. Grloif and Kenneth D. Poiey, Madison, Wis, assignors to Oscar Mayer & Cd, IIML, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed June 24, 1963, Ser. No. 290,119 18 Claims. (Cl. 156335) This invention relates in a general way to devices for applying labels and indicia to packages, and more particularly to a new and improved drum for applying a label and indicia to a package.

The label and indicia applying cylinder or drum of this invention represents an improvement for the type of label transferring and applying drum of the labeling machine disclosed by Daniel L. Orloff in US Patent No. 2,952,376. The Orloff labeling machine includes mechanism adapted to remove a label from a stack of such labels, to carry the label through an activation zone where the surface of the label is made adhesive to a position in predetermined registry with a traveling object, such as a package, and to apply the label to the object so that it adheres to a surface of the same. More specifically, the Orloff machine includes a rotatably mounted drum or cylinder having a vacuum arrangement for gripping the lowermost label in a stack of labels and holding the label on the peripheral or cylindrical surface of the cylinder as the latter rotates beneath a label supporting magazine. Means are provided for rotating the drum uniformly at a predetermined portion of its cycle to allow transfer of the label on the drum to an object which has a flat surface and which is advanced uniformly in a plane parallel to its own fiat surface and in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the drum so that the flat surface of the object is engaged by the cylindrical surface of the cylinder for pressing the label on the object. Heating means are provided adjacent the drum for activating adhesive on the label before the latter is applied to the traveling object.

The Orlofi labeling machine may be used for applying labels to packages containing food products. As it is known to those skilled in the art, it is desirable to provide such packages with indicia, coded or uncoded, indicating the date on which the .food products were packaged, the particular packaging plant, etc.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide means including a new and. improved drum for applying a label and indicia to a traveling object, such as a package.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of means including a label and indicia applying drum associated with heating means mounted proximate to the drum, whereby a label carried by the drum is activated for adhesively adhering to a package and whereby indicia bearing elements carried by the drum are heated for forming an impression on the package having the label adhered thereto.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved drum having detachable vacuum port means for holding a label to the cylindrical surface of the drum and having a plurality of indicia bearing elements detachably carried by the drum for forming indicia on the package to which the label is applied.

Even another object of the present invention is the provision of a label and indicia applying drum adapted to apply in a consistent manner indicia to a package in predetermined precise relationship to a label applied to the package.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a label and indicia applying drum wherein the drum includes a plurality of indicia bearing elements removably carried by the drum in an improved manner providing for quick and easy replacement of the indicia bearing elements.

Even another object of the present invention is the provision of a label and indicia applying drum wherein a plurality of indicia bearing elements are carried on the drum by adjustable means for selectively controlling the location of indicia on a package in relation to a label applied to the package, the adjustable means permitting the indicia to be applied to the label itself or to the package wrapping material in predetermined spaced relation to the label.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a label and indicia applying drum wherein a plurality of indicia bearing elements are carried on the drum by adjustable means for selective controlling the location of indicia on a package in relation to a label applied to the package, which adjustable means is adapted to be operated for projecting in serial relationship desired indicia bearing elements into a position for applying indicia to a package.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following specification wherein like numerals refer to similar parts throughout.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevation of a labeling machine having the label and indicia applying drum of this invention operatively associated therewith;

FIG. 2 is a partial section and partial elevation of one embodiment of the label and indicia applying drum of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a section taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the drum showing one end of a plug member detachably secured in a transversely extending through bore provided in the drum;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the label and indicia applying drum as seen from the left in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a partial section and partial elevation similar to FIG. 2 and showing the plug member and type casing removed from the drum;

FIG. 8 is an end view of the type casing adapted to be detachably carried by the drum;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the type casing of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a view of a typical label and indicia applied by the drum of this invention, the plug member being shown in phantom lines;

FIG. 11 is a partial section and partial elevation of a modified form of label and indicia applying drum;

FIG. 12 is an end view of the modified drum as seen from the left in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a vertical central section through a cylindrical extension and disc forming a part of the modified drum;

FIG. 14 is a section taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 13 and showing one type element adapted to be detachably secured between the cylindrical extension and disc;

FIG. 15 is a partial section and partial elevation of a further modified form of label and indicia applying drum;

FIG. 16 is an elevation of one face of the cylindrical extension member of the drum of FIG. 15; and

FIG. 17 is an elevation of the cam di-sc associated with the cylindrical extension of FIG. 16.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, a labeling machine, such as the above referred to Orloff labeling machine which of itself forms no part of the present invention, adapted to have the label and indicia applying drum of this invention associated therewith will -be seen to include a turret-like supply magazine adapted to support a plurality of stacks of labels 12 by means of a number of vertically disposed guides 13. The labeling machine also includes a hot air heating apparatus, generally designated 14. The labeling machine further includes suitable conveyor means (not shown) for advancing a succession of traveling objects, such as packages 15 formed of plastic material, along a horizontal path beneath one of the stacks of labels supported by supply magazine 10. Package 15, which has a flat topped flexible Wrapper portion 16 secured at marginal portions thereof to a base member 17, is adapted to be moved in a horizontal path to the left as seen in FIG. 1. The label and indica applying drum of this invention, generally designated 20, is mounted directly beneath one of the stacks of labels 12 for rotation about its longitudinal central axis on a horizontally disposed shaft 21 (FIG. 2). Suitable driving means (not shown) operating in timed relation with the conveyor carrying package 15 are provided for rotating shaft 21 in a manner enabling drum to apply the lowermost label in one of the stacks of labels in predetermined registry with the upper flat surface of package 15.

Now referring especially to FIGS. 2 through 4, label and indicia applying drum 20 will be seen to include a cylinder 22 having a first diametrically disposed through bore 23 and a second axially extending bore 24, which second bore is co-axial with the longitudinal central axis of the cylinder communicating at one of its ends with bore 23 and opening at its other end at one end of the cylinder. Cylinder 22 also includes a bore co-axial with bore 24 and communicating with bore 23, which bore 25 has an enlarged threaded portion 25a closed by means of a plug 26. Bore 25 is not used in the embodiment of the drum shown for purposes of illustration and will not be referred to hereinafter. Bore 25 is adapted to receive one end of shaft 21, which shaft is hollow and communicates with a suitable source of vacuum. Driving means (not shown) associated with a labeling machine are provided for rotating shaft 21 in timed relation with the conveyor provided for advancing successive packages in order that drum 20 may remove the lowermost label from a stack of labels and apply the same in predetermined registry with the top fiat surface of one of the traveling packages. Cylinder 22 includes a radially extending bore 28 threaded along a portion of the length thereof and opening at one end thereof exteriorly of the drum and opening at the other end thereof into bore 24. Bore 28 is adapted to receive a threaded pin (not shown) for frictionally securing the drum on shaft 21 for rotation with the latter. Cylinder 22 also includes an annular cavity 29 opening into bore 24 for receiving an O-ring for forming a seal between bore 24 and the outer surface of shaft 21.

A plug 32 is detachably engaged in bore 23 of the drum, which plug has opposite ends thereof provided with arcuate surfaces for conforming with the curvature of the cylindrical surface of the drum. Plug 32 is provided with a transversely extending aperture 33 at the midpoint thereof, aperture 33 being in alignment and in communication with bore 24 of the drum. Plug 32 includes a plurality of ports 34 at one end thereof. Ports 34 communicate with aperture 33 by means of respective passageways 35, which passageways extend longitudinally of plug 32. The end of plug 32 having the ports 34 for-med therein includes a plurality of juxtaposed grooves 36, certain of which grooves communicate with ports 34. Grooves 36 extend axially of the drum when plug 32 is properly positioned therein and adapt the plug for improved vacuum gripping of a label. It will be noted that ports 34 and grooves 36 are asymmetrically located on the end of plug 32. By this construction, rotation of the plug (about its longitudinal axis) results in changing the vacuum port pattern of the drum. Different vacuum port patterns are provided for accommodating labels of difierent size and shape.

Plug 32 includes a pair of annular recesses 38 spacedapart longitudinally of the plug one on each side of aperture 33. Annular recesses 38 are adapted to receive respective O-rings 39 for forming a seal between the exteri-or of plug and the interior of .bore 23. Plug 32 also includes a pair of diametrically oppositely disposed notches 40 at the end thereof opposite the end having ports 34-. Cylinder 22 includes an axially extending bore 41 adapted for alignment with one of the notches when the plug member is in place in thecylinder. Bore 41 opens at one end thereof into 23 and opens at the other end thereof at one end of the cylinder. Bore 41 is threaded along a portion of the length thereof for threading engagement with a pin (not shown), which pin is adapted to have one end thereof extend into one of the notches in plug 32 for securing the latter in place in bore 23. The provision of two notches on the plug allows the latter to be positioned in the drum in one of two positions, which positions are at with respect to each other for altering the drum vacuum port pattern. Finally, plug 32 includes a slot 43 at the end thereof opposite the end having ports 34 for receiving a suitable tool used in positioning the plug so that one of the notches is in alignment with bore 41 in the drum.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, and 6 through 9, cylinder 22 of the label and indicia applying drum will be seen to include a recess 45 opening at the cylindrical surface and at one end of the drum for receiving a type casing 46. The type casing is provided with an .arcuate sur- :face for forming a smooth continuation of the cylindrical surface of the cylinder when the type casing is in place in recess 45. The recess is provided with a key-way portion 45a, which key-way portion is co-axial with a cord of a circle defined by passing a transverse plane through cylinder 22 at the location of the recess. Keyway 45a is adapted to receive a key portion 46a of the type casing. As noted in FIGS. 2 and 7, key way 451: and key 45a are mutually configured to prevent axial and radial movement of the type casing relative to the cylinder when the key is received in the key-way. Key 46a is adapted for sliding movement along the length of keyway 45a thereby permitting movement of the type casing relative to the drum by sliding movement of the former along a path parallel with a longitudinal axis of the key-way.

The type casing includes a through bore 48 adapted for alignment and communication with a :bore 49 in cylinder 22 when the type casing is positioned in recess 45 so that the arcuate surface'of the type casing forms a smooth continuation with the cylinder. Bore 49 opens at one end thereof into recess 45 and opens at the other end thereof into a co-axial enlarged bore 50, which enlarged bore includes a threaded portion 50a. A pin 51 is adapted for sliding movement in bore 49, which pin has a head 52 slidable in bore 50 and adapted for abutting engagement with the annular shoulder formed at the juncture of bores 49 and 50. The head 52 of pin 51 is urged into abutting engagement with this annular shoulder by a spring 53, which spring is held in place in bore 50 by a plug 54 threadingly engageable with threaded bore portion 50a. When the pin is fully seated in place within bore 49, i.e., to the left as seen in FIG. 2, the end of of the pin opposite head 52 extends into bore 48 in the type casing for securely holding the latter in place in recess 34. Removal of thetype casing from the recess drum is accompished by depressing pin 51 by inserting a punch-like tool into bore 48. When the pin is depressed against spring 53 to an extent where the tip of the pin lies within bore 49, the type casing may be removed from the cylinder by sliding the former along a path parallel to the longitudinal axes of the key-way and key.

Type casing 46 includes a groove 56 adapted to receive a plurality of indicia bearing or type elements 57. Groove 56 opens at the outer end thereof at the a-rcuate surface of the type casing, and the groove opens also at the outer face of the type casing. One wall of groove 56 opens into a semicircular recess 56a, which recess extends axially of the type casing for the full length of groove 56. Each type element 57 (only one such ele ment is illustrated in FIG. 8) includes an indicia bearing face 57a and a semi-circular recess 57b along one side edge thereof for alignment with recess 56a when the type element is properly positioned within groove 56. It will be understood that when type element 57 is posi tioned in groove 56 with recesses 56a and 57b in alignment, type :bearing face 57:: will project slightly beyond the arcuate surface of the type casing as illustrated in FIG. 6. Type element 57 is held in place in groove 56 with the indicia bearing face projecting just beyond the arcuate surface of the recess by a pin 60 receivable in the circular opening defined by confronting recesses 56a and 57b.

It will be understood that groove 56 is completely filled along the length thereof by a plurality of type elements 57 alternately spaced with spacers 61 (FIG. 2). The spacers have the same general shape as the type elements except the spacers are not provided with indicia bearing faces. It will be further understood that when groove 56 is filled with alternating spacers and type elements, confronting recesses 56a and 57b define a bore extending axially of the type casing for receiving pin 60. Pin 60 is secured at one end thereof to a plate 63, which plate is detachably held in place against the outer face of the type casing. Plate 63 includes a pair of apertures adapted to receive a pair of bolts 64 threadingly engageable with complementary threaded bores 65 provided in the type casing. It should be apparent that removal of bolts 64 permits quick separation of plate 63 and pin 60 from the type casing for quick removal of the type elements from groove 56. This construction permits the type elements to be quickly changed for changing the indicia which is applied by the type elements. It will :be understood of course that a number of type elements are provided with each type element preferably having a single character fomned on the face thereof. Preferably, such characters will be in the form of numerals from 0 to 9 and letters from A through Z. By providing type elements having indicia forming characters of this nature a wide variety of indicia, coded or uncoded, may be applied to a package. Removal of the type casing from the label and indicia applying drum permits quick and easy changing of the type casing elements without removal of the drum from its supporting shaft associated with a labeling machine.

In operation, label and indicia applying drum 20 is secured to its supporting shaft as a permanent part of a labeling machine, such as the above referred to Orloff labeling machine. Plug 32 may be quickly and easily removed from the drum for cleaning or for replacement by a similar plug having a different vacuum port pattern. Also, type casing 45 may be easily and quickly removed from the drum for changing the indicia bearing elements carried by the type casing. As described above, the type casing may be quickly removed from the drum by merely depressing pin 51. The type elements may then be quickly changed by removing plate 63 and pin 60 from the type casing and changing the type elements as desired. As described in the Orloff patent, shaft 21 of the labeling machine is connected with suitable drive mechanism for the conveyor supporting packages 15 so that the label and indicia applying drum rotates in timed relation with advancing packages with the drum being adapted to register properly with the fiat top surface of the package 15 as the label is rolled onto the latter. Suitable means are provided for communicating hollow shaft 21 with a source of vacuum when ports 34 of the plug 32 move beneath the leading edge of the bottom label in the stack of labels supported by the turret like magazine. After the lowermost label is gripped by the drum, the latter is rotated at a uniform rate equal to 6 the rate of movement of packages 15 for rolling of the label onto the top of one of the packages. As the drum rotates for advancing a label toward an oncoming package 15, heating apparatus 14 is actuated for directing a blast of hot air onto the exposed surface of the label for activating an adhesive on the label.

The heating mechanism may be of any suitable type. In the above referred to Orloif labeling machine, the heating mechanism is in the form of a perforated hot air tube 68 (FIGS. 1 and 6) which extends parallel with the axis of drum 20 along substantially the entire length of the latter and in close proximity to the cylindrical surface of the drum. Opposite ends of perforated section 68 are connected to spaced parallel tubular leg portions 69, which leg portions connect with coiled portions 70. (Only one leg 69 and one coiled section 70 are illustrated in FIG. 1.) The upper ends of both coiled sections 70 communicate with appropriate tubing which in turn communicates with a suitable source of air. Suitable heating means (not shown) are provided for heating coiled sections 70. The drum itself becomes heated by the blast of hot air from perforated section 68. The label adhesive and indicia bearing faces of the type elements are heated by the combined actions of the hot air blast and conduction from the drum. The hot air delivered by perforated tube 68 performs the dual function of activating the adhesive on the label and heating the indicia bearing faces of the type elements adapting the latter for forming an impression on the package to which the label is adhered. The heated type elements form an impression of a permanent nature in plastic wrapper portion 16 of package 15. Such an impression does not detract from the appearance of the package. In fact, close inspection of the package is usually necessary for locating the indicia.

FIG. 10 illustrates typical indicia 72 and the outline of a label 73 applied by drum 20. The arrangement of label and indicia of FIG. 10, which is shown for purposes of illustration and not for limiting the invention in any way, shows the indicia formed on plastic wrapper potrion 16 of the package adjacent an edge portion of label 73. It will be realized that the relative locations between the position of the indicia and the label on a package will depend on the relative locations between the ported end of plug 32 and the indicia hearing faces of the type elements. The particular location of groove 56 in the type casing is a matter of choice. Other tyne casings may be provided having groove 56 in a different angular position for varying the relative positions of a label and indicia on a package. It will also be realized that in some instances suitable indicia may be applied directly onto the surface of the label rather than on the surlace of the plastic wrapper forming a part of the package. The size and shape of the label as well as the relative positions of the vacuum ports and indicia bearing elements are a factor in determining whether the indicia is applied to the label itself or to the surface of the wrapper portion of the package. When indicia is applied to the label itself in this manner, a specific area of the label may be pretreated with a heat responsive coating for forming visible indicia when contacted by the heated type elements.

It should be realized that the label indicia applying drum of FIGS. 1 through 9 provides an effective means for applying a label and indicia simultaneously to a succession of traveling packages. A single source of heat mounted proximate to the drum activates the labels carried by the drum and heats the type elements allowing them to form suitable indicia on a package. Seperate means in the form of inking equipment is not required for operating the indicia means carried by drum 20.

A modified label and indicia applying drum is illustrated in FIGS. 11 through 14. The modified drum, generally designated 80, includes a cylinder 81 having a first diametrically disposed through bore 82 and a secnd axially extending bore 83. Bore 83 is co-axial with the longitudinal central axis of cylinder 81 communicating at one end thereof with bore 82 and opening at the other end thereof at one end of cylinder 81. Bore 82 is adapted to receive plug 32 illustrated and described in connection with the embodiment of the drum of FIGS. '1 through 9. It will be understood that cylinder 81 is provided with a suitable axial bore (not shown) for receiving a pin to lock plug 32 in place in bore 82. Axi ally extending bore 83 is adapted to receive hollow shaft 21 of a labeling machine. Cylinder S1 includes a radially extending bore (not shown) adapted to receive a pin for securing cylinder 81 to shaft 21 for rotation of the cylinder with the shaft. It will be understood that cylinder 81 of the modified drum is similar to cylinder 22 of drum 20 with the exception of means, to be described hereinafter, for carrying the indicia bearing elements. The modified drum includes means for carrying a plurality of indicia bearing elements, which means is adjustable for varying the angular position of the indicia bearing elements about the longitudinal central axis of the drum.

Drum 80 includes a co-axial cylindrical extension 85 having a central axially extending bore 86 opening at one end thereof at the inner face of the cylindrical extension and opening at the other end thereof into an enlarged bore 87 coaxial with bore 86. As best seen in FIG. 14, the inner face of cylindrical extension 85 includes inner and outer annular recesses 89 and 90, respectively. The inner face of the cylindrical extension is also provided with a plurality of radially extending grooves 91. Grooves 91 open at their outer ends at the cylindrical surface of extension 85, and the grooves open at one of their sides at the inner face of cylindrical extension 85. Each groove 91 is adapted to receive a type element, which type element may be in the form of type element 57 illustrated in connection with the label and indicia applying drum of FIGS. 1 through 9. One type element 57 is illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 14. The type elements are held in place in grooves 91 with the indicia bearing faces of the type elements projecting slightly beyond the cylindrical surface of drum 81 by means of a disc 93. Disc 93 has a diameter substantially the same as the diameter of the cylindrical extension, and disc 93 is provided with a central aperture 94 adapted for alignment with bore 86 in the cylindrical extension when the disc is in proper alignment with the former. Disc 93 includes on the face thereof adjacent the cylindrical extension a hub portion 95 adapted to be received in annular recess 89. Disc 93 also includes on the face thereof adjacent the cylindrical extension an annular projection 96, which projection is adapted to be received in annular recess 90 of the cylindrical extension when the disc is in alignment with the former. Projection 96 extends into the semicircular recesses or notches 57b provided in the type elements for securing the latter in place in the radially extending grooves 91 of the cylindrical extension. Disc 93 is detachably secured against the inner face of the cylindrical extension by a pair of bolts (not shown) receivable in a pair of diametrically oppositely disposed openings (not shown) provided in disc 93, the bolts being adapted for threading engagement with diametrically oppositely disposed threaded bores 98 provided in the cylindrical extension.

Cylindrical extension 85 is adapted to be adjustably mounted to cylinder 81 of the modified drum by a bolt 99 having a shank 100 receivable in bore 86 and a head 101 receivable in a bore 87. The threaded shank of the bolt, which extends through bore 94 of the disc secured to the cylindrical extension, is adapted for threading engagement in a central threaded bore 102 provided in the end of cylinder 81 adjacent the cylindrical extension. Cylinder 81 includes an annular cavity 103 for accommodating disc 93 secured to the cylindrical extension. As

8 noted in FIG. 11, the end of cylinder 81 within cavity 103 is provided with an annular recess 104 for receiving a hub portion 105 of disc 93.

It should be apparent that the cylindrical extension having the type elements and disc 93 secured thereto may be securely mounted to the cylinder 81 for rotation therewith by means of bolt 99. It will also be apparent that by loosening of bolt 99, cylindrical extension 85 and the various type elements carried thereby may be angularly positioned about the longitudinal central axis of cylinder 81 as desired. Tightening of bolt 99 secures the cylindrical extension to the cylinder at any desired angular position relative thereto. The various type elements may be changed quickly and easily by removal of the cylindrical extension followed by removal of disc 93 from extension 83. It will be apparent that removal and adjustment of cylindrical extension 85 may be accomplished Without removal of cylinder 81 from shaft 21 of a labeling machine.

A further modification of the label and indicia applying drum is illustrated in FIGS 15 through 17 and generally designated 114 Modified drum includes label applying cylinder 81 described above, and novel means in the form of a cylindrical extension member for carrying a plurality of indicia bearing elements adjacent one end of the cylinder. The cylindrical member is detachably carried by the cylinder and adapted to be angularly adjusted about the longitudinal central axis of the cylinder for permitting indicia to be applied to a label itself as the latter is applied to a package or to a package wrapping material in predetermined spaced relation to a label. Further, the cylindrical member includes hand operated cam means for projecting in serial relationship desired indicia bearing elements radially outwardly of the member for forming indicia on a package.

Drum 110 includes a co-axial cylindrical extension 111 having a central axially extending bore 112 opening at one end thereof at the inner face of the member and opening at the other end thereof into an enlarged bore 113 co-axial with bore 112. As best seen in FIG. 16, the inner face of member 110, i.e., the face adjacent the cylinder 81, includes inner and outer annular recesses 115 and 116 respectively. The inner face of the cylindrical member is also provided with a plurality of radially extending grooves 117, which grooves open at outer ends thereof at the cylindrical surface of member 111. In the embodiment of the invention shown for purposes of illustration, four sets of grooves 117 are shown with each set including four grooves. As will become apparent herein the number and arrangement of grooves may be varied for providing a particular desired indicia arrangement or formation on a package. Each groove 117 is adapted to receive slidably one type element 57. Means in the form of a cam disc 118 are provided for retaining the type elements in the grooves and for reciprocating the type elements individually from a position wherein the indicia forming means at the outer-ends of the type elements is recessed within outer ends of the grooves to a position wherein the indicia forming means project slightly beyond the cylindrical surface of cylinder 81 for forming indicia on a package.

As best seen in FIG. 17, disc 118 has a central opening 119 and an outer serrated edge 120. Disc 118 includes a concentric hub portion 121 adapted to be received in annular recess 115 of member 111 when the disc is secured to the member by means hereinafter to be described. The cam disc includes a cam track 124 extending continuously around the central opening in the cam disc. Cam track 124, which has a uniform height, includes an extended or lobe portion 124a extending between radii indicated x and y. The remaining portion of the cam track may be designated as constant radius portion 1241:.

Cam disc 118 is adapted to be mounted in concentric relationship with member 111 adjacent the face thereof having radially extending grooves 117 for rotation relative to the cylindrical member about the longitudinal central axis of the latter. The cam disc is mounted adjacent member 111 with cam track 124 received in recesses 57b of type elements 57. Preferably, a type element is provided for each groove 117. The various parts of drum 110 are dimensioned so that the type elements having cam track portion 124!) received in recesses 57b will be withdrawn within grooves 117 to a position wherein their indicia bearing ends do not project beyond the cylindrical surface of cylinder 81. However, the various parts of the drum are dimensioned so the type elements having cam track lobe portion 124:: in engagement with their recesses will be projected radially outwardly in their respective grooves to a position wherein their indicia bearing ends will project slightly beyond the cylindrical surface of cylinder 81 for applying indicia to a package contacted by the drum. Cam track lobe portion 1240: is dimensioned for projecting and maintaining all four type elements contained in one set of grooves 117 to a position for applying indicia to a package.

It should be apparent that when cam disc 118 is rotated relative to member 111 to a position where lobe portion 124a extends across one set of grooves 117, the type elements in that set of grooves will be projected outwardly while the type elements in the remaining sets of grooves will be withdrawn within the grooves. In other words, rotation of the cam disc relative to member 111 results in reciprocation of the individual type elements in serial relation from a position within grooves 117 to a position wherein outer ends of the elements extend beyond the cylindrical surface of cylinder 81 of the drum. Preferably, each set of type elements carry different indicia forming characters. Accordingly, four different indicia arrangements may be provided by member 111, the type elements constituting each arrangement being adapted to be projected into operative position by rotation of the cam disc relative to member 111.

Member 111 and cam disc 118 are detachably and adjustably mounted on cylinder 81 of drum 110 by a bolt 125 having a shank 126 receivable in bore 112 and a head 127 receivable in bore 113. Shank 126, which is threaded along a portion of the length thereof, extends through central opening 119 in the cam disc and is threadingly engaged in threaded bore 162 in cylinder 81. The cam disc has a concentric hub 128 which is received in annular recess 194 in cylinder 81.

It should be apparent that bolt 125 secures the cam disc to member 111 and also secures the latter members to the cylinder. Loosening of bolt 125 permits member 111 to be angularly positioned relative to cylinder 81 and permits cam disc 118 to be moved relative to member 111.

In operation, when it is desired to vary the angular position of the projected set of type elements to the ported end of plug 32 received in bore 82 for varying the location of indicia on the package in relation to a label applied thereto, bolt 125 is loosened and member 111 rotated as desired care being taken not to move cam disc 118 relative to member 111. When it is desired to change the indicia arrangement being applied to a package from an arrangement provided by one set of type elements to an arrangement provided by another set of type elements carried by member 111, bolt 125 is loosened and cam disc 118 is rotated relative to member 111 until the desired set of indicia bearing elements are projected radially outwardly in grooves 117 to a position wherein the indicia forming means on the ends of the elements project beyond the cylindrical surface of cylinder 81. The serrated outer edge on the cam disc provides for easy turning of the latter relative to member 111. After the desired set of type elements have been projected to their indicia forming position by means of the cam disc, member 111 and cam disc 118 are rotated in unison until the projected type elements are positioned at the desired angular location relative to the ported end of pl-ug member 32. Bolt 125 is then tightened thereby preventing relative rotation between cam disc 118 and member 111 and rotation of both of these parts relative to cylinder 81. It will be apparent that when it is desired to replace one or more of the type elements, bolt 125 is unthreaded from bore 162 and member 111 and cam disc 118 are completely removed from cylinder 81 for easy separation of these parts and removal of the type elements.

As mentioned above, the number and arrangement of grooves 117 and type elements 57 may be varied as desired depending on particular packaging marking requirements, size and shape of labels, etc. Cam track 124 may also be varied to provide a particular indicia arrangement, i.e., the cam track may be shaped to project one or any desired number of type elements outwardly at any time.

In FIG. 10, indicia applied by modified drums and is designated by numeral 130. It will be understood that this particular indicia arrangement is shown for purposes of illustration and not for limiting the invention in any way.

The term package as used herein is intended to include the label as well as the wrapping or covering material forming the package itself. Accordingly, the language of the appended claims will be construed as covering the application of indicia to the packaging material and/ or the label applied to the package.

While the invention has been shown in but several forms it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not to be so limited, but on the contrary it is susceptible of various modifications and changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, while the label and indicia applying drum of this invention has been illustrated as operatively associated with the above refer-red to Orloff labeling machine, it will be understood that the drum of this invention will have equal utility in other labeling machines of the type provided with conveyor means for advancing successive packages beneath a stack of labels.

We claim:

1. A device for applying labels and indicia to a package comprising, a drum having a first diametrically disposed through bore and a second axially extending bore, which second bore is co-axial with the longitudinal central axis of the drum and communicates at one end thereof with said first bore and opens at the other end thereof at one end of said drum, means on said drum for mounting the same on a hollow shaft receivable in said second bore for rotation of the drum with the shaft, a cylindrical plug detachably secured in said first bore with one end of the plug forming a continuation of the cylindrical surface of the drum, which pl-ug includes a transversely extending aperture in alignment and in communication with said second bore, said plug having at least one port at said one end thereof and passageway means communieating the port with said aperture, and said drum having indicia forming means on the cylindrical surface thereof, whereby said drum is adapted to hold a label in contact with its cylindrical surface upon creation of a vacuum in said hollow shaft and transfer the label to a package and apply indicia to the latter upon rotation of the drum.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein said plug includes a plurality of ports at said one end thereof and wherein said one end has an arcuate surface conforming to the curvature of said cylindrical surface, which arcuate surface includes a plurality of grooves extending axially of said drum and being in communication with said ports.

3. Means for applying labels and indicia to a package made of plastic material wherein the labels include adhesive which is activated by the application of heat, said with means to hold a label on the cylindrical surface thereof for subsequent transfer to a package, said drum having at least one indicia bearing element carried thereby with the face of the element projecting slightly beyond the cylindrical surface of the drum, and heating means mounted proximate to said drum for activating th adhesive on a label held by the drum before the former is transferred to a package and for heating said element to form an indicia impression on the package,

4. Means for applying labels and indicia to a package made of plastic material wherein the labels include adhesive which is activated by the application of heat, said means comprising, a drum having a first diametrically disposed through bore and a second axially extending bore, which second bore is co-axial with the longitudinal central axis of the drum and communicates at one end thereof with said first bore and opens at the other end thereof at one end of the drum, means on said drum mounting the same on a hollow shaft receivable in said second bore for rotation of the drum with the shaft, a cylindrical plug member detachably secured in said first bore with one end of the plug forming a continuation of the cylindrical surface of the drum, which plug includes a transversely extending aperture in alignment and in communication with said second bore, said pl-ug having at least one port at said one end thereof and passageway 7 means communicating the port with said aperture, Whereby said drum is adapted to hold a label in contact with its cylindrical surface upon the creation of a vacuum in said hollow shaft for subsequent transfer of'the label to a package, said drum having at least one indicia bearing element carried thereby wit-h the face of the element projecting slightly beyond the cylindrical surface of the drum, and heating means mounted proximate to said drum for activating the adhesive on a label held by the drum before the former is transferred to a package and for heating said element to form an indicia impression on the package.

5. The means according to claim 4 wherein said plug includes a plurality of ports at said one end thereof and wherein said one end has an arcuate surface conforming to the curvature of said cylindrical surface, which arcuate surface includes a plurality of grooves extending axially of said drum and being in communication with said ports.

6. A device for applying labels and indicia to a package comprising, a drum adapted to be mounted for rotation about its longitudinal central axis, said drum having at least one port in the cylindrical surface thereof and passageway means for communicating the port with a vacuum line in order to hold a label to said surface of the drum for subsequent transfer to a package, said drum including a recess in the cylindrical surface thereof, a type casing detachably secured in said recess, which type casing has an arcuate surface conforming to the curvature of said cylindrical surface, said type casing having a groove opening at the arcuate surface thereof, and at least one type element detachably secured in said groove with the face of the element projecting slightly beyond said arcuate surface.

7. A device for applying labels and indicia to a package comprising, a drum adapted to be mounted for rotation about its longitudinal central axis, said drum having :at least one port in the cylindrical surface thereof and passageway means for communicating the port with a vacuum line in order to load a label to said surface of the drum for subsequent transfer to a package, said drum including a recess in the cylindrical surface thereof, which recess opens at opposite ends thereof at said cylindrical surface, said recess having a portion thereof shaped to form a key-Way co-axial with a cord of a circle defined by passing a transverse plane through said drum, a type casing slidable in said recess and having a key portion slidable in said key-way, said key portion and said keyway being mutually shaped for preventing axial and radical sliding movement of said type casing relative to said drum, releasable means on said drum and engageable with said type casing for holding the latter in said recess, said type casing having an arcuate surface conforming to the curvature of said cylindrical surface, said type casing having a groove opening at the arcuate surface thereof, and at least one type element detachably secured in said groove with the face of the element projecting slightly beyond said arcuate surface.

8. A device for applying labels and indicia to a package comprising, a drum having a first diametrically disposed through bore and a second axially extending bore, which second bore is co-axial with a longitudinal central axis of the drum and communicates at one end thereof with said first bore and opens at the other end thereof at one end of the drum, means on said drum for mounting the same on a hollow shaft receivable in said second bore for rotation of the drum with the shaft, a cylindrical plug detachably secured in said first bore with one end of the plug forming a continuation of the cylindrical surface of the drum, which plug includes a transversely extending aperture in alignment and in communication with said second bore, said plug having at least one port in said one end thereof and passageway means communicating the port with said aperture, whereby said drumis adapted to hold a label in contact with its cylindrical surface upon the creation of a vacuum in said hollow shaft for subsequent transfer of the label to a package, said drum including a recess in the cylindrical surface thereof, a type casing detachably secured in said recess, which type casing has an arcuate surface conforming to the curvature of said cylindrical surface, said type casing having a groove opening at the arcuate surface thereof, and at least one type element detachably secured in said groove with the face of the element projecting slightly beyond said arcuate surface.

9. The device according to claim 8 wherein said plug includes a plurality of ports at said one end thereof and wherein said one end has an arcuate surface conforming to the curvature of said cylindrical surface, which last mentioned arcuate surface includes a plurality of grooves extending axially of said drum and being in communication with said ports.

10. Means for applying labels and indicia to a package made of plastic material wherein the labels include adhesive which is activated by the application of heat, said means comprising, a drum mounted for rotation about its longitudinal central axis, said drum having at least one port in the cylindrical surface thereof and passageway means for communicating the port with a vacuum line in order to hold a label to said surface of the drum for subsequent transfer to a package, said drum including a recess in the cylindrical surface thereof, a type casing detachably secured in said recess, which type casing has an arcuate surface conforming to the curvature of said cylindrical surface, said type casing having a groove opening at the arcuate surface thereof, at least one type element detachably secured in said groove with the face of the element projecting slightly beyond said arcuate surface, and heating means mounted proximate to said drum for activating a label held by the drum before the former is transferred to a package and for heating said element to form an indicia impression on the package.

11. A device for applying labels and indicia to a package comprising, a drum adapted to be mounted for rotation about its longitudinal central axis, said drum having at least one port in the cylindrical surface thereof and passageway means for communicating the port with a vacuum line in order to hold a label to said surface of the drum for subsequent transfer to a package, indicia forming means adjustably carried by said drum, which means contains at least one indicia bearing element with the face of the element projecting slightly beyond the cylindrical surface of the drum for imprinting indicia on a package contacted by said drum, said means being adapted to be angularly adjusted about said longitudinal central axis for varying the location of indicia on a package in relation to a label applied to the package.

12. A device for applying labels and indicia to a package comprising, a drum adapted to be mounted for rotation about its longitudinal central axis, said drum being provided with means to hold a label on the cylindrical surface thereof for subsequent transfer to a package, said drum including a co-axial cylindrical extension detachably secured thereto at one end of the drum, which extension is adapted to be angularly adjusted about said longitudinal central axis, a disc transverse to said axis and interposed between said drum and said extension, said extension including a plurality of radially disposed grooves in the face thereof adjoining said disc, which grooves open at the outer ends thereof at the cylindrical surface of said extension, a plurality of type elements detachably secured in respective grooves with the faces of the elements projecting slightly beyond the surface of said drum, said disc and said elements being provided with complementary projections and notches for securing the elements in the grooves.

13. A device for applying labels and indicia to a package comprising, a drum having a first diametrically disposed through bore and a second axially extending bore, which second bore is co-axial with the longitudinal central axis of the drum and communicates at one end thereof with said first bore and opens at the other end thereof at one end of said drum, means on said drum for mounting the same on a hollow shaft receivable in said second bore for rotation of the drum with the shaft, a cylindrical plug member detachably secured to said first bore with one end of the plug forming a continuation of the cylindrical surface :of the drum, which plug includes a transversely extending aperture in alignment and in communication with said second bore, said plug having at least one port at said one end .thereof and passageway means communicating the port with said aperture, whereby said drum is adapted to hold the label in contact with its cylindrical surface upon the creation of a vacuum in said hollow shaft for subsequent transfer of the label to a package, indicia forming means adj-ustably carried by said drum, which means contains at least one indicia bearing elecment with the face of the element projecting slightly beyond the cylindrical surface of the drum for imprinting indicia :on a package contacted by the drum, said means being adapted to be angularly adjusted about said longitudinal central axis for varying the location of indicia on a package in relation to a label applied to the package.

14. In a labeling machine for withdrawing individual labels from a stack thereof and for applying the same and indicia to a succession of traveling packages made of plastic material wherein the labels include adhesive made active by the aplication of heat, a drum mounted beneath said stack and above the path of travel of said packages for rotation about the longitudinal central axis of the drum, said drum having at least one port in the cylindrical surface thereof and passageway means for communicating the port with a vacuum line in order to hold the lowermost label in said stack to said cylindrical surface of the drum for subsequent transfer to a traveling package, said drum having at least one indicia bearing element carried thereby with the face of the element projecting slightly btyond the cylindrical surface of the drum, and heating means mounted proximate to said drum for activating adhesive on a label held by the drum before the former is transferred to a package and for heating said element to form an indicia impression on the package.

15. In combination with a drum for applying a label to a package, indicia applying means comprising, a cylindrical member detachably secured to one end of said drum in co axial relationship therewith, a plurality of radially disposed type elements each of which have indicia forming means on the outer end thereof, which elements are carried by said member in a manner permitting them to be individually moved radically of the member to a position wherein said outer ends project beyond the cylindrical surface of the drum, and can means adjacent said member and being movable relative to the same for projecting desired elements radially outwardly to said position for applying indicia to a package.

16. In combination with a drum for applying a label to a package, indicia applying means comprising, a cylindrical member detachably secured to one end of said drum in co-axial relationship therewith, said member having in one face thereof a plurality of radially extending grooves opening at outer ends thereof at the cylindrical surface of the member, a plurality of type elements slidably received in said prooves, respectively, each of which type elements has indicia forming means on the outer end thereof, and cam means supported adjacent said one face of the member and being movable relative to the same, which cam means is engageable with said type elements for reciprocating the latter in serial relationship, as said cam means is moved relative to the member, for projecting said indicia forming means radially outwardly to a position for applying indicia to a package.

17. In combination with a drum for applying a label to a package, indicia applying means comprising, a cylindrical member detachably secured to one end of said drum in co-axial relationship therewith, said member having in one face thereof a plurality of radially extending grooves opening at outer ends thereof at the cylindrical surface of the member, a plurality of type elements slidably received in said grooves, respectively, each of which type elements has indicia forming means on the outer end thereof and a recess in the side thereof extend-ing outwardly of the associated groove, a disc parallel with said one face of the member and supported adjacent said one face for rotation relative to the member about the longitudinal central axis of the latter, said disc having a cam track on the face thereof adjoining the member, which cam track extends into the recesses in said type elements for recipro- .cating the latter in serial relationship, as said disc is rotated relative to the member, for projecting said indicia forming means radially outwardly to a position for applying indicia to a package.

1'8. The structure according to claim 17 wherein said cam track extends continuously around the center of said disc and has a portion along the length thereof spaced a greater distance from the center of said disc than the remaining portion of the cam track.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,027,287 1/1936 Pettersson 156-385 2,654,495 10/1953 Meyer 156-384 2,656,944 10/1953 Swett 156384 2,703,660 3/1955 Von Hofe et al. 156-384 X 2,952,376 9/ 1960 Orloff 156-497 3,193,431 7/ 1965 Seifert 156-384 X EARL M. BERGERT, Primary Examiner.

HAROLD ANSI-I-ER, Examiner. 

3. MEANS FOR APPLYING LABELS AND INDICIA TO A PACKAGE MADE OF PLASTIC MATERIAL WHEREIN THE LABELS INCLUDE ADHESIVE WHICH IS ACTIVATED BY THE APPLICATION OF HEAT, SAID MEANS COMPRISING, A DRUM MOUNTED FOR ROTATION ABOUT ITS LONGITUDINAL CENTRAL AXIS, SAID DRUM BEING PROVIDED WITH MEANS TO HOLD A LABEL ON THE CYLINDRICAL SURFACE THEREOF FOR SUBSEQUENT TRANSFER TO A PACKAGE, SAID DRUM HAVING AT LEAST ONE INDICIA BEARING ELEMENT CARRIED THEREBY WITH THE FACE OF THE ELEMENT PROJECTING SLIGHTLY BEYOND THE CYLINDRICAL SURFACE OF THE DRUM, AND HEATING MEANS MOUNTED PROXIMATE TO SAID DRUM FOR ACTIVATING THE ADHESIVE ON A LABEL HELD BY THE DRUM BEFORE THE FORMER IS TRANSFERRED TO A PACKAGE AND FOR HEATING SAID ELEMENT TO FORM AN INDICIA IMPRESSION ON THE PACKAGE. 